We’re in a Contract Marriage, But I’ve Imprinted - Chapter 177

While the Emperor was outside, Ian noticed something unusual. He couldn’t take his eyes off the lock of the magical restraints binding Pedro as it began to disassemble on its own. Quietly, he moved in close behind Pedro.

Pedro kept his eyes closed, sensing the approaching surge of magical energy, and a subtle smile crept across his face. He intended to quickly teleport away as soon as the restraints were released, but a shadow loomed over him.

As he opened his eyes, the restraints fell away, and a magic circle quickly formed above his head. Seizing the moment, Ian grabbed Pedro’s arm with determination, his grip showing that he won’t let go even if he died.

“Ugh, how annoying.”

Just as Pedro muttered his complaint, Ian felt his entire field of vision shift in an instant. The two men who had appeared in mid-air were hurled to the ground.

“Ugh.”

“……”

While Pedro landed awkwardly on his backside, Ian rolled gracefully to his feet. The aftermath of their abrupt arrival left Pedro unable to get up immediately.

As Ian approached him, he suddenly felt dizzy and was momentarily immobilized.

Both men remained still for a moment until the sound of a door opening broke the silence.

“Pedro?”

The deputy tower master, Sara, stepped out of the workshop and scanned the corridor.

“Ah, Deputy Tower Master…….”

“What are you doing here?”

Realizing Ian’s presence, Sara quickly took a defensive stance.

“Who are you to enter without permission?”

Ian lifted his head, which he had been struggling to keep down.

“I am……”

Still feeling disoriented, Ian struggled to speak, prompting Sara to gasp in surprise.

“Oh my, oh my. The face is the same, the same!”

“Ah, Sara!”

“Oh dear.”

At Pedro’s call, Sara covered her mouth with both hands.

“Since the tower master hasn’t returned yet, what should we do?”

“What do you mean, what should we do? This guy is about to throw up from forcing himself to follow me!”

“Did you draw the magic circle too late?”

“I’m not a novice wizard, so that shouldn’t be the case.”

“Then he managed to seize that fleeting moment? An ordinary person?”

“Well, it’s not like he’s just an ordinary person, but…”

“Hmm, this is quite the dilemma.”

Sara deliberated over Ian’s presence in the tower. It was naturally her responsibility to make decisions in the absence of Tower Master Lucia. But it was obvious that this man was Adella’s biological father, as her golden, radiant eyes resembled those of the man before her.

“Listen, stranger.”

“I apologize for barging in like this, but I must find someone. Her name is…”

Ian felt he couldn’t be driven out of the tower so soon after finally arriving. Desperate, he hurriedly tried to ask for Melissa’s name, but Sara was a step ahead.

“Just turn around and keep going until you reach the room with the purple nameplate.”

“Deputy Tower Master!”

“This is not something we can decide. You and I should stay out of this.”

“……”

Pedro found himself at a loss for words in response to her serious tone. She was right; ultimately, the only person who had the authority to send Ian away was Melissa.

Instinctively, Ian turned around. His Omega was definitely here. That was why he had been unable to find her, no matter how thoroughly he searched the empire.

He stumbled forward with a face full of joy. Finally, he could see her.

With a mix of excitement and nervousness, he stood before the door adorned with a purple nameplate.

* * *

Today was a particularly unfocused day. In the morning, Adella clung to me unusually, so I started work late. While working together, Lucia had suddenly disappeared after receiving some message.

With the schedule thrown off, I made a lot of mistakes. Without Lucia to help resolve them, it was frustrating. I quietly continued drawing the magic circle but I felt an unusual wave of magical energy.

“……”

I stopped my work and lifted my head to look toward the door. Most rooms in the tower were soundproofed, so I couldn’t hear any noise, but human intuition was remarkable. Even without sound, I could sense someone outside.

“Should I go out?”

I was curious if Lucia had returned, so I planned to finish the current task before standing up.

That is, until I heard a knock.

Knock, knock.

The sound of knocking felt slow yet firm. People in the tower didn’t knock like that. For a moment, a thought crossed my mind that made me suffocate, but I quickly regained my breathing.

Standing up, I walked toward the door. As I grasped the doorknob and turned it, a familiar yet foreign pair of eyes came into view through the small opening.

The eyes were the same as those of the child I saw every day, but the warmth they held was different, and they widened in surprise when they met mine.

“Mel…….”

Unlike the past, which had been solid and indifferent, his voice now felt fragile, as if it might vanish into the air. I gazed silently at Ian, who stumbled over his words.

“May I take a moment of your time?”

“Of course.”

I had vaguely thought that we might run into each other someday. Given what I had heard from Pedro, it was also possible that he would come to the tower. So, I felt neither curious nor surprised about how he had come here.

I opened the door and sat back down. As I resumed my interrupted work, Ian asked in a low voice,

“Have you been living in a place like this?”

My once beloved Alpha, my ex-husband, looked at the workshop and narrowed his eyebrows. Given his obsessive cleanliness, this was likely not a pleasant space in his eyes.